Nephews, Football and Apples, Oh my!

This will be a brief, picture-heavy post because, really that is what you are all here for anything, right?  Josh has been traveling some for work, so one week while he was away, I took off a day and a half of work and headed down to Norfolk to spend time with these cuties:

of course I brought Banana Muffins!

"Lock up your daughters"

 We experienced a bit of rain, so the boys came fully prepared in boots, umbrellas and goggles, because why not?

While Corbin was at school on Wednesday, Tiffany and I headed to the mall with two very energetic two year olds who almost immediately took off running in opposite directions.  Seriously I don't know how my sister does it??!?!

It was a quite visit, getting up super early (read 5:30) Thursday morning to make it back to work in time.  After two quick work days, it was out of town once again, this time, I was headed West toward Blacksburg!

Quick stop at Bold Rock for the new IPA release-YUM!

The reason for the second trip back this year is cause our beloved Frank Beamer is retiring and I wanted to see his last home game.  It was great to see all the love for Beamer throughout campus and around town.

The game was at 12noon on Saturday, so we were up early, not to tailgate but to get some Slouvaki, because you know its my favorite!

Love the orange and maroon pansies!

Thanks Frank, by the Marching Virginians!

 After the game CJ and I met up with Amanda, Sarah and Kyle at Macado's in Radford.  It has been forever since I have eaten here but it was just as delicious as I remember it being.

Snuggles with one of my favorite little men!

 Sunday morning, we actually managed to sleep in a bit, and headed out to meet up with Kathryn and Tom for lunch in Charlottesville before hitting up Carter Mountain.

The apples were mostly all picked for us, so we did not get to actual pick any ourselves, but we did enjoy an apple donut and stocked up on apples before heading onto Richmond.  What a great few weeks this was, next up...Thanksgiving!

Home away from Home

It seems fitting that as I get ready to head out for yet another Hokie football weekend that I finally update about my trip to my home away from home, Blacksburg, for homecoming back in October.

In keeping with tradition, we had dinner at my favorite Blacksburg restaurant, Souvlaki.  Sarah and Kyle and Amanda met up with us there and we laughed over delicious pitas and tzatziki, before heading back to Sarah's to spend the night.  

Since it was homecoming, we were up early to see the Parade and make sure to hit up the homecoming tailgate, complete with BBQ and Bold Rock all before 11am!  Classy!

Kyle with his pumpkins!

I know judging by the next few pictures it is hard to tell, but these were all pre-tailgate (pre-Bold Rock), so do not be alarmed, that is just my personality!

Kyle and me watching the parade

silly faces!

 Okay so this might be getting into tailgate territory....

Running around!

Trying to hop in on the couples photo!

Twin tattoos!

En route to the stadium, we stopped for a photo op at our Freshman Dorm--ahhh the memories!

And grabbed a photo with Lane Stadium!

Apparently you can buy smiles, I give them away for free, so maybe I need to figure out what the going rate is....

We picked up these super sweet foam fingers, so of course I wanted photos showing our Hokie pride:

Once we got to the game, not pictured: the lady behind me that kept dropping her food in my hair--GROSS!

Lane Stadium = LOVE!

Looking forward to celebrating with 66,000 of my closest friends this weekend as we send off Frank Beamer in his last home game!!!

Belated birthday celebration

The last weekend in July, Amanda, Erica and I all traveled north to spend the weekend with Scarie and to celebrate her birthday, SUPER LATE!  But honestly who doesnt love a birthday celebration that goes on for a month and a half?  

Party Hats!

We had lunch at lunch at one of our favorite places there, Golden West Cafe, and of course it did not disappoint!

Then spent some time walking around Hampden, getting our picture outside Cafe Hon and snapping a few photos in Throv!

What do 4 thiry-somethings do when we see a playground?  Hope on the swings, OBVIOUSLY!

Birthday Girl!

Beautiful mural

One Hot Selfie!

Love these ladies!

Erica had to head off for a race, but Sara and Amanda and I decided to see a movie, so we went to check out Magic Mike.  Though the movie was not super wonderful, comments from the crowd make it #worthit!  And of course this precious Minions photo was a Framer!

Peanut loved having all the extra company and did not end up clawing Amanda's eyes out!

Nothing beats a hug Amanda til she is super uncomfortable!!!

Until next time....

Road Trip day 1 & 2

Almost exactly two years to the day we left, we were on our way on our 2nd road trip.  In 2013 CJ and I left on April 19th, this year we left on April 17th.  In 2013 we were in the airport at 4am, in 2015, we left mid day from work.  We were already doing better this time around!  

Plus if you ask me, all great road trips should start right here.....

We arrived in Blacksburg in time for dinner at my favorite place, Slouvaki and then picked up our stuff for the 3.2 walk the next day.  Amanda graciously let us crash at her place Friday night, so after dinner we headed back there!  We were up relatively early on Saturday but it was so worth it to be able to join together with other hokies to remember the 32 victims!

Obligatory Burruss Hall picture

I asked Kyle to hold my purse while we took the picture.  He is such a great little helper!

Sarah & Matt

Of course we had to grab a quick picture with the Hokie Bird...

32 white balloons for the 32 victims!  (in the background)

getting ready to go through the tunnel

touching the Hokie stone!

Torgersen Bridge

War Memorial

The finish line!

Better picture at the starting line with the 32 white balloons

Kyle and me!

Giant Hokie balloons

After the "race" we walked over to Main street for the Blacksburg Chocolate Festival!  It was totally amazing and made for such an incredible day!  We grabbed some pictures with the Hokie bird art around town!

Then on our way out of town we stopped at Carol Lee Donuts, so I could pick up the famous donuts (I swear 4 years of college and one would think I would have gone there before now). Then we got on the road toward Cincinnati after saying goodbye to Amanda and Sarah!

Quick stop in West Virginia...

West Virginia Capitol

 After stopping only briefly in Charleston, we made our way to Cincinnati and stayed the night with some of CJ's friends.

They gave us the real Cincinnati experience including a local pizza place and Cincinnati Chili.  Three states down, 9 more to go, so stay tuned for more updates!